Trench drain system

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a trench drain including a step of positioning a plurality of form members including a first form member and a second form member, each having at least one set of openings arranged in a generally vertical manner. The sets of openings include a first opening, a second opening and a third opening. There is a vertical distance from the first opening to the second opening that is substantially equal to a vertical distance from the second opening to the third opening. The first form member is substantially parallel with the second form member. The set of openings of the first member are aligned with the set of openings of the second form member. An opening in the first form member and a corresponding opening in the second form member are selected dependent upon a predetermined slope for the trench drain thereby defining a selected opening in each of the first and second form members. The first form member is connected with the second form member by way of a cross member. The cross member has a first end associated with the selected openings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a forming system for use with concrete,and, more particularly, to a trench drain forming system for use withconcrete.

2. Description of the Related Art

Trench drains are known and are generally used in situations requiring alarge extensive drainage system of an area subject to heavy amounts offluid run off, such as exterior portions of buildings, buildingperimeters, paved areas such as parking lots and roadways. Generally atrench drain is covered with a grating system allowing liquid to enterthereby and to drain therethrough into a larger drainage system such asa sewer or ditch. Additionally, the liquid may be stored in a tank orholding pool for later processing.

A modular trench system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,545 thatincludes a V-shaped conduit with male and female formations at oppositeends with an integral flange for the support of a grating.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,165 discloses a modular end trench drain systemhaving channels, grate frames, anchors, spacer bars and grating. Thechannel is vacuum formed from a fiberglass mat impregnated with resins.The bottom of the trough has a pair of upwardly extending diverging sidewalls.

What is needed in the art is an easy effective way of building aninclined drainage system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a trench drainage system that easilycontrols the inclination of the drain formed by concrete within the formsystem.

The invention in one form is directed to a method of forming a trenchdrain including the steps of positioning a plurality of form members,aligning at least one set of openings, selecting a set of openings andconnecting the form members to cross members. The positioning stepincludes positioning a plurality of form members including a first formmember and a second form member, each of the plurality of form membershaving at least one set of openings arranged in a generally verticalmanner. The sets of openings include a first opening, a second openingand a third opening. There is a vertical distance from the first openingto the second opening that is substantially equal to a vertical distancefrom the second opening to the third opening. The first form member issubstantially parallel with the second form member. The aligning stepincludes aligning the at least one set of openings of the first memberwith the at least one set of openings of the second form member. Theselecting step includes selecting one of the openings in the first formmember and a corresponding one of the openings in the second form memberdependent upon a predetermined slope for the trench drain therebydefining a selected opening in each of the first and second formmembers. The connecting step includes connecting the first form memberwith the second form member by way of a cross member. The cross memberhas a first end associated with the first selected opening in the firstform member and a second end associated with the selected opening in thesecond form member.

An advantage of the present invention is that the slope of the concretethat is poured within the form members is determined by the positioningof the cross members.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the openings alongthe form members have pre-selected vertical positions allowing for theease of installation as well as rapidly laying out the inclination ofthe trench drain.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the formingmembers are very modularized and can be interconnected allowing severalheights of forming members to be utilized in the trench drain system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a trench drain system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a form member used in thetrench drain system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the form member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another end view of the form member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the trench drainsystem of FIG. 1 utilizing form members of FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is another sectioned perspective view of the trench formingsystem of FIGS. 1-5 having concrete poured within;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a form member of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side view utilizing several form members of FIGS. 1-7.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate one embodiment of the invention and such exemplifications arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a trench form system 10 that is installed in conjunction with afloor 12. Typically a trench form system 10 is positioned with a topedge that is substantially coplanar with the surface of floor 12. Oncetrench form system 10 is in place, concrete is poured to form floor 12.After floor 12 has hardened then typically concrete is then poured intotrench form system 10 so as to result in inclined trench 14 to therebydirect the flow of a fluid in the trench drain.

Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 2-8, there are shown additionaldetails of trench form system 10 including form members 16, also knownas wall panels 16, and cross members 18. Wall panels 16 each include aseries of predefined slots or openings 20 positioned at spaced locationsalong a portion of wall panel 16. Slots 20 may be grouped in slotsubsets that are offset by a measured predetermined distance. Forexample, a set of slots may include four slots each a quarter inch lowerthan the previous slot and then the slot sets repeat being horizontallyoffset so that each slot can be easily selected based on its slot subsetand then the relative slot within the slot subset. The slots subsets ofa slot set 20, may appear as in FIG. 7, which has repeating sets ofseven slots that are positioned so that the bottom of the lowest endslot is the same vertical distance from the highest slot in the next setas there is between each of the individual slots of the first set.Although there is somewhat of a horizontal offset it is not significantwhen dealing with the draining of fluids along a predetermined inclinedtrench. The selection of a slot on each side of the connection of across member 18 is thereby easily determined as being a certain slot ofa certain slot subset. In the direction 30 in which the fluid is to flowthe next lower slot may be selected for the next cross member 18 tothereby determine the slope of the overall drain. For example, if thedistance 34 between the two substantially vertical sets of slots in anyform member 16 are two feet apart then if the slots are positioned to beeach a quarter inch different in height then the selection of the nextlower slot in the separated sets of slots equates to a one-eight inchper foot slope in the finished trench. A different slope can be selectedby the selection of the slots that correspond to the desired slope.

Cross members 18 include gauging protrusions 22 that interact with slot20 of a form member 16 and with another corresponding slot 20 on anopposite side of cross member 18 of a second form member 16. Thisdefines a predetermined space between the two form members 16. Thelength of a cross member 18 is selected to define the width of inclinedtrench 14. The top edge of cross members 18 may be flat, curved orangled to assist in the forming of a shaped inclined trench 14 by theconcrete worker that utilizes the top edge of cross member 18 topredefine the slope and perhaps even the shape of inclined trench 14. Aspreviously mentioned, cross members 18 are selectively positioned in aslot 20 that corresponds to another slot 20 on another form member 16and the next cross member 18 may be positioned in a slot 20 that is oneincrement lower than an adjoining cross member 18. For example, as shownin FIG. 5, the rightmost cross member 18 is positioned at a higher pointthan the leftmost cross member 18. When concrete or other aggregate orforming material is poured into trench form system 10 to form inclinetrench 14 it is leveled proximate to the top edges of thesepre-positioned cross members 18 to thereby form the grade for inclinetrench 14. While the top portions of cross members 18 are shown in FIG.6, the people forming the inclined trench may utilize the top edges ofcross members 18 as a guide and actually have the top edges embeddedslightly underneath the surface of trench drain 14. This advantageouslyallows cross members 18 to serve the purpose of pre-positioning the wallpanel and providing structural strength to trench forming system 10 andto predefine the grade based upon the positioning of the cross members18 along multiple form members 16.

The ends of form members 16 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 where aledge 24 can be seen upon the top portion of form member 16 allowing thevertical stacking of several form members 16. Ledges 24 additionallyallow positioning of grates in the finished trench floor system alongthe top surface of floor 12. Engaging protrusions 26 extend out toengage receiving slots 28 of an adjoining form member 16. This allowsfor an easy positioning and construction of trench form system 10. Theinclined trench 14 fines the flow 30 of fluid within trench form system10. Although trench form system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as trenchesform members 16 it can also be utilized to form larger areas such asholding areas by simply positioning form member 16 in a desiredconstruct to form a larger holding area or drainage catch basin.

When utilizing cross members 18 engaging protrusions 22 may be such thatthey are slid through slots 20 then cross member 18 is then repositionedto lock cross member 18 together with to form members 16. Although onlyone cross member 18 is shown with each vertical set of slots 20, it isalso contemplated to use additional cross members 18 at differentvertical levels so as to provide structural rigidity to trench formsystem 10. In this way when concrete is poured in to form incline trench14, cross members 18 may be completely immersed in the concrete withonly the top sets of cross members 18 being positioned to define theinclined portion of trench 14. The positioning of cross members 18substantially below the finish grade of trench 14 is a matter ofpreference within the normal techniques of those engaged in setting upforms for the pouring and finishing of concrete.

Slots 20 may be arrange along portions of form member 16 such that whenform members 16 are assembled end to end that the location of slots 20in multiple form members 16 can correspond to provide the linear gradingof inclined trench 14. Trench form system 10 advantageously allows forthe flow of liquid along path 30 as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 1.The mirror image of the patterns of slots 20 as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and8 allow for the correspondence of slots in form members 16 that areparallel but are reversed to allow the proper positioning of ledge 24along floor 12 and the alignment of the slots so that cross members 18are properly positioned so that they are substantially perpendicular toform members 16. In FIG. 5 slots 20 are not in a mirror relationship toillustrate that this pattern is also contemplated.

Distance 32 as illustrated in FIG. 8 and corresponds generally to avertical set of slots 20 from an end of form member 16. Distance 34corresponds to the distance between vertical sections of slots 20 withinform member 16. Distance 36 corresponds to the distance from another endof form member 16 and a set of generally vertical slots 20. Distance 34is selected so that the distance 32 plus 36 equals 34 so that thehorizontal interlinking of form members 16 provides for the same linearselection of a grade in inclined trench 14 along the entire distance ofmultiple form members 16. As shown in FIG. 8, multiple form members 16may be stacked to thereby allow the selection of an inclined trench 14over a considerable distance. Form members 38 are shortened versions toallow for the necessary accommodation for corners and interconnection ofform members 16. Further, form member 16 may be cut to providecustomizable lengths of inclined trench 14. Temporary braces may beutilized along the top edge of form member 16, particularly when floor12 is being poured. Shortened form members 38 also include protrusionsand slots to cooperatively interact with ends of form member 16.

Form members are generally positioned in a parallel fashion and theslots or openings therein are aligned so that they can be easilyselected and interconnected with cross members. The cross membersalthough illustrated as having protrusions that interact with slots,there may also be other connecting features that interconnect theforming members with the cross members.

The materials utilized to make form members 16 and cross members 18 canbe metals or plastics or any material that can be utilized to easilyform cross members 18 and form members 16 as described herein. Ledge 24of form members 16 may be preformed to allow for the positioning ofgrating, not shown, thereon so as to provide a surface that can bewalked on, across, and above inclined trench 14.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. A method of forming a trench drain, comprising the steps of:positioning a plurality of form members including a first form memberand a second form member, each of said plurality of form members havingat least one set of openings arranged in a generally vertical manner,said at least one set of openings including a first opening, a secondopening and a third opening, a vertical distance from said first openingto said second opening being substantially equal to a vertical distancefrom said second opening to said third opening, said first form memberbeing substantially parallel with said second form member; aligning saidat least one set of openings of said first form member with said atleast one set of openings of said second form member; selecting one ofsaid openings in said first form member and a corresponding one of saidopenings on said second form member dependent upon a predetermined slopefor the trench drain thereby defining a selected opening in each of saidfirst form member and said second form member; and connecting said firstform member with said second form member with a cross member, said crossmember having a first end associated with said selected opening in saidfirst form member and a second end associated with said selected openingin said second form member.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of openings are a plurality of slots.
 3. The method of claim2, wherein said cross member includes a protrusion on each end, saidprotrusions each extending through a corresponding selected opening. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein said at least one set of openingsincludes a first set of slots grouped in a substantially vertical mannerand a second set of slots grouped in a substantially vertical manner,said first set of slots positioned a predetermined distance from saidsecond set of slots.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said plurality ofform members each have a length, said predetermined distance beingapproximately one half of said length.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereineach set of slots include subsets of a predefined number of said slots.7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of said slots in each subset ofslots is spaced horizontally and vertically predetermined distances fromeach other.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of said subset ofslots of each said set of slots form a repeating pattern repeated in avertical manner.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein said first set ofslots is substantially a mirror image of said second set of slots. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein said plurality of form members include aledge along a top portion thereof.
 11. A trench drain form system,comprising: a plurality of form members including a first form memberand a second form member, each of said plurality of form members havingat least one set of openings arranged in a generally vertical manner,said at least one set of openings including a first opening, a secondopening and a third opening, a vertical distance from said first openingto said second opening being substantially equal to a vertical distancefrom said second opening to said third opening, said first form memberbeing positioned substantially parallel with said second form member,said at least one set of openings of said first form member are alignedwith said at least one set of openings of said second form member, oneof said openings in said first form member and a corresponding one ofsaid openings in said second form member are selected dependent upon apredetermined slope for a trench drain thereby defining a selectedopening in each of said first form member and said second form member;and a plurality of cross members that connect said first form memberwith said second form member, a corresponding one of said plurality ofcross members having a first end associated with said selected openingin said first form member and a second end associated with said selectedopening in said second form member.
 12. The trench drain form system ofclaim 11, wherein said plurality of openings are a plurality of slots.13. The trench drain form system of claim 12, wherein each said crossmember includes a protrusion on each end, said protrusions eachextending through a corresponding selected opening in one of saidplurality of form members.
 14. The trench drain form system of claim 13,wherein said at least one set of openings includes a first set of slotsgrouped in a substantially vertical manner and a second set of slotsgrouped in a substantially vertical manner, said first set of slotspositioned a predetermined distance from said second set of slots. 15.The trench drain form system of claim 14, wherein said plurality of formmembers each have a length, said predetermined distance beingapproximately one half of said length.
 16. The trench drain form systemof claim 15, wherein each set of slots include subsets of a predefinednumber of said slots.
 17. The trench drain form system of claim 16,wherein each of said slots in each subset of slots is spacedhorizontally and vertically predetermined distances from each other. 18.The trench drain form system of claim 17, wherein each of said subset ofslots of each said set of slots form a repeating pattern repeated in avertical manner.
 19. The trench drain form system of claim 14, whereinsaid first set of slots is substantially a mirror image of said secondset of slots.
 20. The trench drain form system of claim 19, wherein saidplurality of form members include a ledge along a top portion thereof.